Simultaneous evaluation of the dissipation behaviours, half-lives, and dietary risks of various insecticides in eggplant

Dietary exposure to pesticide residues is a critical public health concern for high-consumption vegetables like eggplant (Solanum melongena L.). This study evaluated the dissipation kinetics and multi-tiered dietary risks of five insecticides (chlorantraniliprole, chlorfluazuron, chromafenozide, etofenprox, and etoxazole) in greenhouse-grown eggplant. Using a validated LC–MS/MS method, initial deposits (0.05–0.24 mg kg−1) decreased to 0.01–0.05 mg kg−1 at harvest (7 days after treatment), remaining below Korean maximum residue limits (MRLs). First-order dissipation half-lives ranged from 2.2 to 5.7 days. Risk assessment involved three approaches: (1) theoretical maximum daily intake (TMDI) across six jurisdictions (Korea, EU, USA, China, India, and Japan) was <1% of the acceptable daily intake (ADI); (2) exposure modelling using supervised trial median residues (STMR) yielded estimated daily intakes <0.01% of the ADI for international and domestic populations; and (3) age-stratified analysis showed hazard quotients <0.01%, with elderly consumers (≥65 years) exhibiting the highest exposure due to greater consumption. These findings provide a scientific basis for establishing pre-harvest intervals and offer an integrated framework for international MRL harmonisation and trade risk evaluation.